Lessons

Lessons

Why have lessons?

Having guitar lessons, and music lessons in general can be important part of starting out when you learn an instrument. Using and developing proper technique can be necessary not just to enable you to improve as quickly as you can, but to avoid bad habits and injury in the long term which may place a limit upon how far you can take your playing.

Despite all of the knowledge and tools available in this digital world (the Information Age), a lot of people find it hard to learn a new skill or instrument without some sort of practice routine, time-management and regular accountability, all of which regular lessons offer by their very nature. To arrange a free trial lesson, contact me anytime.

There are many basic, important areas that can be covered during lessons, including:

Playing and Strumming Chords

Strumming chords is often the best way to learn when you start playing guitar. So many songs out there are dependent upon strumming basic chords.

Learn how chords are related to scales and their importance in music. Learn chord shapes and methods of strumming and picking chords, and how to use them appropriately in different styles of music. Chords are also very useful in composing, writing your own songs whilst playing guitar.

The Role of Scales

Scales play an important and crucial role in all of music. How and why are they so important? Improve your understanding of scales, and the impact they will have upon your playing.

Learn how to play them on the guitar, and to develop practice techniques that are guaranteed for you to improve your proficiency and increase your speed.

Learn Songs and Riffs

A ‘riff’ for anyone that doesn’t know, is a repeating part on a particular instrument (most commonly referred to on guitar). The reason most people start learning an instrument in the first place is to play their favourite songs.

Have fun learning any songs and guitar riffs you wish, as nearly any music can be adapted for guitar, regardless of the band/artist that originally played it. Learn whatever music you want and build your repertoire.

The Importance of Rhythm / Timing

Music isn’t just about what notes you play, but about when you play them! Learn about timing, counting and how to play in time with the beat, and develop your ability to do so in practice.

Learn to read simple notated rhythms from music, and what they mean in relation to what you play and hear.

Improvisation – Playing Solos

Wanna make up guitar solos on the spot and play like a rockstar?

Learn about the importance of improvisation in contemporary music by playing solos of increasing complexity as your skills improve. You’ll learn which scales can best be used over which music, and advance to be the most versatile player that you can be.

Learn What the Notes Mean

Reading conventional music (or standard notation) is useful for any aspiring musician as it is not specific to the guitar, but translates to ANY melodic instrument used to play music.

Start out simple, laying the fundamentals that can be built upon as you progress.

Learn What the Numbers Mean

Usually very popular especially among guitarists, reading guitar tablature (or TAB) is very easy to pick up and is often a great place to start. Whilst not as versatile as standard notation, is a way to quickly learn new songs and riffs.

It shows you exactly where to put your fingers, enabling you to play your favourite songs without first needing to know anything about reading conventional music or music theory.

Learn to Use Your Ears

No need to rely on TABs or sheet music. Gain the tools necessary to learn new songs all on your own! All the while developing your ears, and knowledge of music theory.

Among other things, learn about hearing and identifying intervals, scales, melodies and chords. You can even learn how to figure out simple music without even having an instrument in your hands!

Music Theory – How Can It Help You?

The idea of learning anything theoretical can make a lot of people cringe. Never fear!

Cover the basics of music theory as you learn to play, and have clearly and simply explained how it relates to all of the above areas. It’s very versatile and is universal to all music and all instruments, not just to the guitar.